Bathroom Sink Drain Cleaning
Fix slow bathroom sinks caused by hair, soap, toothpaste and pop-up stopper buildup.
Learn MoreDrain service in Whittier, CA
Shower & Bathtub Drain Cleaning in Whittier, CA
For standing water, slow tubs and shower drains that back up
Quick answer
Shower and tub clogs are mostly hair bound together with soap scum, usually within the first one to two feet of the drain. Removing the strainer or tub stopper and pulling the hair out fixes many of them. If the water still stands, or the tub backs up when a toilet flushes, the clog is further down and needs a drain cable or a main line check.
Showers and tubs carry a lot of hair, body oils and soap, and their drains have tight bends that catch it. The result is a slow build-up: first the water pools around your feet, then it stays in the tub after you get out.
Water rising in a tub or shower when a toilet is flushed or a washing machine drains is a different problem. It usually means the clog is in the main line, because the tub or shower is often the lowest drain in the house. See main sewer line cleaning if you notice that.
Signs of a shower or tub drain clog
- Water pools around your feet while showering
- The tub takes a long time to empty after a bath
- Gurgling from the tub drain when the sink drains
- Musty or sewer odors from the shower drain
- Dirty water appears in the tub when the toilet is flushed (main line warning sign)
Common causes of shower and tub clogs
Hair and soap scum
Long hair binds with soap residue into a mat that catches more debris.
Tub stopper mechanisms
Trip-lever and plunger-style tub stoppers collect hair inside the overflow tube.
Bath products
Oils, bath salts, conditioners and grit from scrubs add to the buildup.
Mineral scale
Hard water scale narrows older metal drains over the years.
Main line backup
When the main line is blocked, waste water can rise from the lowest drain, often the shower or tub.
Seeing these signs? Call Whittier Drain Specialists to describe the problem.
Call (562) 245-5818How shower and tub drains are cleared
Strainer and stopper cleaning
Removing the shower strainer or tub stopper and clearing hair from the first section of pipe.
Overflow access
On tubs, cleaning through the overflow plate reaches the trip-lever and the trap.
Drain cable
A cable through the drain or overflow reaches clogs in the trap and branch line.
Main line check
If the tub backs up when other fixtures drain, the main line is checked and cleared if needed.
What to expect when you call
- 1
Describe the problem
Let us know if it is one drain, the whole bathroom, or the tub backing up when the toilet flushes.
- 2
Access the drain
The technician removes the strainer, stopper or overflow plate to reach the clog.
- 3
Clear the clog
Hair and buildup are removed and the line is cleared with a cable if needed.
- 4
Test the drain
The tub or shower is filled and drained to confirm normal flow.
When to call a professional
- Water rises in the tub or shower when you flush a toilet
- You cannot remove the strainer or stopper without damaging it
- The tub and the bathroom sink are both slow
- The shower drain smells like sewage
Tips to help prevent future problems
- Use a hair catcher on the shower or tub drain
- Brush hair before showering to reduce loose strands
- Rinse bath oils and scrubs with plenty of hot water
- Clean the strainer and stopper regularly
Shower & Tub Drain Cleaning across Whittier
Calls are taken from homes and businesses throughout Whittier, including Uptown Whittier, East Whittier, South Whittier, West Whittier, Whittwood, Michigan Park, The Quad, Friendly Hills, Valla. Call (562) 245-5818 to confirm availability for your address.
Frequently asked questions
Why does my tub fill with water when I flush the toilet?
The toilet and tub usually share a drain path. When the line past both of them is blocked, flushed water takes the easiest way out, which is often up through the tub drain. This is a main line warning sign; avoid using water and call.
Can I use a wire hanger to clear a shower drain?
It can pull hair from just below the strainer, but it can also scratch finishes and push hair further down. A plastic drain stick is a safer choice.
Why does my shower drain smell?
Hair and soap trapped in the drain can rot and smell. A dry trap in a rarely used shower can also let sewer gas in; run water in that shower regularly.
How long does it take to clear a shower drain?
A simple hair clog close to the drain is often quick. Clogs further down, or main line problems, take longer. The technician can give a better idea once the drain is checked.
Related drain services
Clogged Toilet Repair
Help for toilets that clog, overflow or drain weakly, including main line warning signs.
Learn MoreMain Sewer Line Cleaning
Clear main drain and sewer lateral blockages that back up several fixtures at once.
Learn MoreClogged Drain Repair
Help for slow, fully blocked and recurring clogs, from finding the cause to clearing the line.
Learn MoreDealing With a Stubborn Drain Problem?
Call Whittier Drain Specialists to talk through your drainage concern and get connected with a local drain professional serving Whittier.